Server Version#:
Player Version#: 1.41.0.8992
Tuner Make/Model: Hauppauge HD Quad
Guide/Lineup name: Gracenote
Using XMLTV?: No
Channel number/Name: All
Over the last two weeks, I have been having trouble trying to watch live local channels using any Plex app. I have tried Roku, Android, and web based using Win10. All previously worked with no issues. The Plex streaming channels still work fine. The only issue is the OTA stuff.
Content that was recorded, either shows or movies will still play normally. Sometimes, the live TV will play, but usually buffers to 33% and hangs there. After a short time, it times out and says “Playback Error” “This live TV session has ended.”
I have a lifetime Plexpass that is installed on a Win10 computer. It’s an i7 with 16 Gb Ram, and 18Tb storage.
I have the same hardware (Hauppauge) and similar problems, although I’m not sure if they’re because of a recent switch from Amazon Fiirestick 4k to an Amazon Firestick 4k Max… but I see significant issues with playback of Live TV. I just assumed the problems to be the ongoing poor Live TV playback performance issues Plex has already acknowledged.
Some of the problems I see multiple times a day on my Firestick 4k MAX:
Launching Live OTA channels from the guide returning to the guide after a few seconds (sometimes with channel audio continuing in the background). This does not occur if launching the same channel from outside the guide (eg, from “recent channels” or “what’s on”. Once this behavior begins, only restarting the app allows playback from the guide.
Guide entries either blank, stuck on “Loading”, or shifted one or more time slots to the right.
Slowdown/skipped frames of content, first of video, then audio, until the app eventually crashes. Remote unresponsive except for “home” button which returns to main Firestick launcher. Fine after app crashes and then restarts.
Skipping/seeking behavior is extremely unpredictable with often good results but also frequent pauses of 30 seconds or so before content restarts (playing DirectPlay Mpeg2).
Some cosmetic/weird things:
Full Guide always starts on first channel in my favorites rather than first channel of the Guide when switching from Favorites to full Guide screens. As a result, I have to add the first channel (channel 2.1) to my Favorites to start at the top of the Guide screen.
Guide page up/page down functionality (using channel up/down buttons on 4k Max remote) leaves bottom program line displayed occluded so only the very top portion is visible.
Guide scrolling in Plex Web is jittery/not smooth when scrolling using either mouse or dragging the scroll bar.
Launching content (live or recorded) with Refresh Rate Switching enabled (on both Plex and Firestick settings) starts content in a Paused state over half the time.
All in all, there are many (sometimes extremely) frustrating issues with Live TV that I wish could be resolved. At least once a day I rage quit back to Prime Video and debate with myself whether or not to return to my 15 year old TivoHD.
I wish there was an option in Settings to “always restart app on close” or something to that effect so when weird bugginess begins I can just quit and restart. Unless the app crashes itself, I have to go into Apps on the Firestick and Force Stop and clear cache to get it back to normal. Thankfully, it seems to crash itself more often recently. I hope Plex is getting all the crash reports my system is generating!
I have a very similar issue and noticed it seemed to start after the last update provided on sept 11, the 8992. Not sure what changed but no longer can get the OTA live TV to work.
Anyone know of something that changed in last update that caused this?
Mine quit working after the 8992 update as well. I don’t know if it can be downgraded or not. I am having so many issues. Live TV won’t work at all, and I’m having trouble playing recorded content from DVDs that has worked in the past.
I noticed that if I look at activity from the Plex web app, it shows activity that is finished. It shows that it’s currently recording three shows that occured at different times. Restarting the Plex server is the only way I have been able to clear this. Unfortunately, restarting the Plex server doesn’t fix the issue.
I have tried using WinTV from Hauppauge to play live content, and it works flawlessly. Something is going on with Plex.
Having the same issue since the last update to 8992 on Win11 server (14th gen I7, 32 GB ram, etc.). Roku devices rarely work with live TV (HDHomeRun). Stops at 33% mostly, then gives playback error. Chromecast (with remote) mostly works. Web works. iOS app works. Recorded content plays fine. If I browse to the HDHomeRun on my smart TV’s media player and play OTA channels direct (bypass Plex), it works as well. Tried rebooting everything multiple times, uninstalling and reinstalling apps on Roku devices, even swapped out my modem/router. Tried toggling every setting I could find in the app and server. Super frustrating and would like to see this get fixed.
Plex sent out an update version 1.41.0.8994 yesterday. I installed it and it has fixed some issues, but live OTA TV is still flaky. I performed the update and rebooted the Plex server, but live TV still buffers to a certain percentage, usually 33%, then eventually times out. I get a message onscreen, “Playback Error Playback has stopped due to multiple Playback errors. Please check your connection and try again.”
There is no connection error as I can then watch recorded content with no issues. The odd thing though, is that Plex will record an OTA show, which I can play back after it is complete.
I’m trying to decide if I should reinstall the older version, or wait for them to fix it.
I tested 1.41.0.8994 as well and although it appears to be recording OK, I can’t seem to watch live TV with any interface. I’ve verified the HD homerun tuner works OK with VLC.
Same, Windows 11, UHD770 (Core i7 14700). For now I’ve disabled automatic updates, kept a copy of the 8921 build, and will wait to review release notes to see when they might fix this.
Same on Nvidia Shield 2017. OTA Live TV can’t be watched from TV guide. Sound will start playing in the background, but no picture. On subsequent attempt to play the channel, picture will briefly appear on screen, then both picture and sound will stop.
Going through other routes (What’s on) works and will play the program.
My server is pinned to the latest version (currently 1.41.0.8994), can’t downgrade. This is very frustrating.
I have a similar config as gbenson825_gmail.com with the same problem. Rolling back as _JOHN suggested did what the devs have not been able to do for a month and that’s fix the issue.
My system had worked flawlessly for years until the patch that came after PlexMediaServer-1.40.5.8921-836b34c27-x86_64
Everything just stopped working after that, my system formerly dolling out multiple 4k streams, recordings and viewing live tv suddenly wasn’t able to show pictures or music even without stalling on feeds or even crashing and the devs simply left it for weeks, if not months.
Thank you _JOHN! I had blown out my server a dozen times at least, reinstalling for NOTHING, while trying to debug this one.
